Chapter 107. It’s Going to Be More Fun From Tomorrow (3)

West Strong, East Weak.

These words could sum up the current state of the continent in one phrase.

To the north of this continent lies Evergreen, the home of the Elves.

And to the south are the Iron Mountains, where the Dwarves have settled.

These two races, although there have been some complications, are not currently hostile to humanity.

On the contrary, they are races from which benefits can be gained through exchange, so they are not a major problem.

The problem is the Great Forest located in the east of the continent.

A Demonic Realm teeming with monsters.

An unexplored land for humanity, where the deeper you go, the less you know what might emerge.

It is a place where the peoples of the continent have challenged countless times but ultimately gave up on developing and settled down.

And this is a serious problem.

The monsters that cross over from the Great Forest frequently cause problems by entering human nations.

In other words, the eastern countries bordering the Great Forest were inevitably forced to expend their national power.

The Flame Kingdom.

The Yusef Kingdom.

The Decator Kingdom.

The Atronia Kingdom.

These four nations served as a breakwater against the eastern Great Forest, and because they held it back, the other nations of the continent could develop stably.

As a result, the four eastern nations became the weaker nations of the continent, while the other countries became relatively stronger powers.

Prince Cierion of the Yusef Kingdom held a stronger dissatisfaction…

No, a grudge, about this fact than anyone else.

‘Descendants of hypocrites and traitors. Do not think your false glory will last forever.’

It was then.

A chamberlain shouted loudly with the sound of a trumpet.

“The delegation of the Venator Empire is entering!”

At those words, the banquet hall buzzed loudly.

“The delegation of the Venator Empire?”

“Ooh… Does that mean the Sword Saint’s grandson has come?”

“I’ve always wanted to see him at least once.”

The delegation of the Venator Empire, the strongest nation on the continent.

The strongest contender for the championship at this point had appeared.

Their dignified entrance at the banquet hall’s entrance alone overwhelmed the surroundings with their presence.

“They are all magnificent.”

“Would you believe it if I said they were active knights, not Academy cadets?”

“Which one is the Sword Saint’s grandson?”

“Wouldn’t it be that blond young man in the center?”

“Aah… indeed, he is different. Different.”

The Venator Empire is a great power, having won Arcana an impressive 13 times.

So they were always considered a favorite, but this time, their victory was considered even more certain.

Because none other than the Sword Saint’s grandson himself was participating.

The strongest knight of the Empire.

No, to be more precise, Duke Carlos Reynardo, the Sword Saint, known as the strongest knight on the continent.

His grandson was participating directly in this Arcana.

The Sword Saint’s grandson, said to have surpassed the level of the Sword Saint in his youth.

Garcia Reynardo.

His appearance completely changed the atmosphere of the banquet hall.

The representatives of other countries looked at him with wary, probing eyes, and the nobles in the banquet hall wanted to exchange at least a word with him.

The grandson of the Sword Saint and the heir to an imperial ducal house.

In fact, this was a much better card than the royalty of other countries.

It was impossible not to covet him.

Just as they were about to approach the Empire’s representatives one by one…

“The delegation of the Saint Louis Holy Theocracy is entering.”

Another heavyweight appeared in succession.

The Saint Louis Holy Theocracy, a great power that shared the continent’s hegemony with the Venator Empire.

This powerful religious nation, led by the undefeated 12 Paladins, had also won Arcana 10 times in the past.

And in this Holy Theocracy’s delegation, there was a figure with a weight that was not inferior to the Sword Saint’s grandson.

“Ooh… already with silver hair and golden eyes?”

“Does that mean he has already succeeded in embodying a miracle?”

“Indeed, they said he was the youngest candidate for the 12 Paladins…”

What people were paying attention to was the man with silver hair and golden eyes, positioned in the very center of the Holy Theocracy’s delegation.

When a holy knight reaches a certain level, their body changes as proof of receiving God’s blessing.

Silver hair and golden eyes were that very proof.

A holy knight who has undergone such a physical change can perform miracles (porténtum) received from God.

The power of a holy knight who can perform such miracles is equivalent to at least a 5-star level when compared to a regular knight.

Depending on the type of miracle, it can even surpass 6-star and 7-star.

In other words, it meant that the level of the young man participating as the Holy Theocracy’s representative was at least 5-star or higher.

As soon as the young man with silver hair and golden eyes entered the banquet hall, he headed straight for where the Empire’s representatives were, without looking anywhere else. And then…

“Are you the successor of the Sword Saint?”

He abruptly spoke to the representative of the Empire.

At that, a handsome blond young man from the Empire’s delegation, taking offense, stepped forward and said.

“I am Garcia Reynardo.”

“I am Antorius Denar, a servant of Yupinel.”

“I have heard the rumors. That there is a talent in the Theocracy who is expected to be the youngest Paladin.”

“I have heard many rumors about you as well. They say you have surpassed the Sword Saint of his younger days, is that true?”

“How could I dare? It is just that the people around me see me in a favorable light.”

“Even so, it is remarkable. Your current level is…”

“Hahaha. You can confirm that at the tournament grounds.”

The atmosphere was strange.

Although they were smiling and complimenting each other, the atmosphere was cold.

During their conversation, which was a mix of probing and checking, the other representatives behind them were glaring at the other side with hostile eyes.

“Haha… it ends up like this after all.”

“It’s inevitable when the Empire and the Theocracy are in one place.”

“That is true.”

The nobles attending the banquet showed a matter-of-fact attitude rather than surprise at their atmosphere.

The two countries were not officially hostile.

However, countless large and small battles had occurred in the border areas between the two nations.

As nations vying for hegemony over the continent, they held a strong sense of rivalry.

Especially in the eyes of the Holy Theocracy’s representatives looking at the Sword Saint’s grandson, it was as if fire would shoot out.

The Sword Saint.

It was impossible not to be sensitive before that name, which had brought an indelible shame to the Holy Theocracy.

After the Sword Saint fought five of the 12 Paladins to a draw, he was given the title of the strongest on the continent.

Conversely, the reputation of the undefeated 12 Paladins, which symbolized the Holy Theocracy, had faded.

Well, undefeated is still undefeated.

It was a draw in a 5-on-1 fight, but they didn’t lose…

Just as the atmosphere was becoming subtle…

“The delegation of the Tower of Truth is entering.”

Another heavyweight appeared.

A total of 6 wins in Arcana.

The Tower of Truth, the headquarters of mages, which, although not belonging to any nation, was said to have a stronger military force than most countries.

The magic swordsmen representing it appeared.

“Hoh… so those are magic swordsmen.”

“I am seeing them for the first time.”

“It is because they do not often come out of the Tower.”

The banquet hall buzzed once more at the sight of the magic swordsmen appearing, fluttering their capes in splendid uniforms.

They were all wearing accessories like bracelets or necklaces, which were the Soul Weapons that symbolized the military power of the magic swordsmen.

Soul Weapon.

An invention of the Tower of Truth, created by imitating ancient artifacts.

Unlike artifacts that exhibit the same performance for anyone, a Soul Weapon is a magical tool whose performance depends on the skill of its wielder.

If used well, it can exhibit performance superior to ancient artifacts.

To the extent that it is not at all inferior to the Holy Theocracy’s Paladins or 7-star knights.

The fact that the Tower of Truth had won Arcana 6 times in the past was proof of their strength.

The Venator Empire.

The Saint Louis Holy Theocracy.

The Tower of Truth.

For the past 50 years, the victory in Arcana had been monopolized by these three powers.

As all three powers appeared, the atmosphere of the banquet hall took a strange turn.

A moment ago, there was at least a social atmosphere, but now a heavy silence prevailed, so much so that one had to be careful even when swallowing saliva.

And one of the magic swordsmen walked over to where the Empire and the Holy Theocracy were and spoke.

“It has been a while, Sir Reynardo.”

“It has been a while, Lord Ciera.”

The two seemed to know each other.

And Garcia spoke in a polite but firm tone.

“I have not yet officially received my knighthood, so please withdraw the title ‘Sir’.”

“Hahaha. Someone like the Sword Saint’s grandson would not be criticized even if he were said to have been knighted right after birth, yet you are so cautious.”

“My grandfather is my grandfather, and I am myself.”

“Is that really so?”

On the surface, it was an amicable atmosphere of ‘let’s compliment each other,’ but interpreting the content of the conversation, it was not necessarily so.

You’re just riding on your grandfather’s coattails, aren’t you?

No, I’m not.

Is that really so?

A conversation with roughly this meaning was exchanged.

The magic swordsman who had just taunted the Sword Saint’s grandson looked at the holy knight of the Holy Theocracy and said.

“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Riman Ciera of the Tower of Truth.”

“I am Antorius Denar, a faithful servant of Yupinel.”

“I have heard the rumors, but seeing you in person is astonishing. To have perfect silver hair and golden eyes at your age… how many miracles have you received?”

To the opponent who was dangerously close to crossing the line of rudeness, Antorius slightly frowned his silver eyebrows and said.

“God’s grace is merely proof of faith. I ask you not to equate it with the Soul Weapons of magic swordsmen or the levels of knights.”

“Hahaha. Those are fine words to hear.”

“Are you saying they are not so in reality?”

“Well, when the Holy Theocracy’s holy knight orders intervene in various parts of the continent in the name of God, the holy knight orders are particularly at the forefront.”

“We only exercise the necessary amount of power according to God’s will.”

“I often get confused whether that is God’s will or the Pope’s will.”

He had finally crossed the line.

At Riman’s words, the Holy Theocracy’s delegation flinched and emitted a murderous aura.

Regardless, Riman calmly smiled and said.

“My, my, for those who serve God to be so bloodthirsty.”

At that, another holy knight behind Antorius flared up and shouted.

“Do you expect to be unscathed after daring to insult His Holiness the Pope?”

“And what do you think you’re doing right now? A threat? You want to take on the Tower of Truth?”

In the end, the situation was pushed to the brink of eruption.

In the first place, even though they were young representatives of each country, they were hot-blooded youths.

Moreover, having been treated as precious in their respective countries, their pride was also strong.

There had been occasional problems in previous tournaments. But then…

“Hahaha. Everyone’s fighting spirit is remarkable. I am looking forward to this tournament even more.”

A man with black hair and red eyes stepped forward to stop this confrontation.

Jayton Rude Magellan.

He was a prince of the Magellan Kingdom and also a representative of the Magellan Kingdom participating in this Arcana.

He stepped in between the three confronting powers and said with a smile.

“From tomorrow, like it or not, you will have to fight with all your might. Is there a need to expend your energy first because you can’t wait that one day?”

What he said made sense.

Moreover, isn’t it said that even a dog is half-victorious in its own home?

It might be different elsewhere, but here in the Magellan Kingdom, with the prince himself stepping in to mediate, they could not ignore him.

The Empire, the Holy Theocracy, and the Tower of Truth all decided to take a step back here.

“Let us do our best in the tournament.”

“Of course, that is my intention.”

“We shall see then.”

The three powerful factions thus took a step back and separated from each other.

And Prince Jayton, who had mediated the tense atmosphere, raised the champagne glass in his hand high and said.

“To celebrate the success of this Arcana in advance!”

“Cheeeers!”

At his lead, the nobles of the Magellan Kingdom followed, and the atmosphere of the banquet hall softened again.

The representatives of the three major powers kept their distance, but the representatives of other nations and the nobles moved about actively, conversing.

And Prince Jayton thought to himself.

‘Yes. This is it.’

He was very proud of this situation.

He himself had stepped in and mediated the confrontation of those three major powers.

Right in the middle where everyone was watching.

It might not seem like a big deal to others, but to him, this was an event of great political significance.

Jayton Rude Magellan.

Born as the 7th prince of the Magellan royal family, he was rather distant from the throne.

Normally, he would have been a prince who would only leave the impression of ‘there was such a prince.’

But he had a talent for the sword that his other brothers lacked, and although he received support from the royal family, he had achieved the feat of being chosen as a representative for Arcana on his own merit.

Publicly, his level was 5-star, but in fact, he had recently stepped into the realm of 6-star.

It was a level forcibly raised using the royal family’s heirlooms and secret methods, but still, 6-star at this age was remarkable.

In this Arcana, he had the skill to aim for at least the semi-finals, no, if the tournament bracket was favorable and the monsters self-destructed on their own, he could even aim for the championship.

‘If I win Arcana, I can start building my own faction in earnest. Then the next throne will not be a dream.’

For that, this Arcana was an opportunity.

He had to achieve good results, of course, and also make good connections at the tournament venue to prove that he had sufficient qualities as the next king.

‘I’ve shown enough charisma by mediating the fight of the three major powers, so shall I show my inclusiveness this time?’

He wanted to create an image that he was not simply a tyrant who pushed forward with strength by creating a gentle atmosphere with the representatives of the weaker nations.

While searching for a suitable target for that purpose…

‘That place should be good.’

The representative of the weakest nation in Arcana.

And an outcast who, even after attending the banquet, was not conversing with others but only consuming food and drink.

How benevolent would he look if he, the prince of the Magellan Kingdom, approached such a person and treated them well?

Having finished his calculations, Prince Jayton approached his target.

And exuding the maximum amount of kindness he could, he said.

“Hahaha. Is our country’s food to your liking?”

The thing that had been eating for a while turned its head.

And said one thing.

“Whu? Yuh?” (What? You punk?)

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

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